Comments on: HR in Prison: Sad End to a Sad Case

By: George Bowen

George Bowen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:30:59 +0000

HR professionals have an inherent fiduciary responsibility to their leaders, employees, and stockholders (owners) to always do what is right….even if it costs you your position. When a company has a culture that partakes in obvious illegal activity against the advice of HR leaders, it’s time not only to say no, but to find a new company. That is what makes true HR professionals so critical and so valuable. Effectively packaged, you not only do what is right, but also protect any manager who goes astray. Your gut knows what is right intuitively. Those who don’t, are in the wrong profession to begin with.
George E. Bowen
Vice President, Global HR

By: Yankee

Yankee — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:55:48 +0000

As a person who has spent considerable time as the head of HR/LR for both private and public organizations. I agree with the article. We always have to do the right thing and be ready for retaliation. Oh yes, there is Whistle Blower “protection” for what it is worth, but to use it is shooting oneself in the foot. My demotion after saying “no” to illegal activity only allowed the boss to put people in place that won’t say no. It is unfortunate because the new HR leader had never been involved in HR before his promotion and will not know any better. Is this sour grapes? No, I would do it again if faced with the choice. I lost my position but still have my integrity and ethics.

By: Lydia Ferrell

Lydia Ferrell — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:18:03 +0000

I wonder if, in this case, the ‘punishment fits the crime.’ It seems terribly harsh given the circumstances. Apparently, she was not a totally willing participant. I have just read an article about bullying in the workplace. This is becoming more and more commonplace.
Is this justice? Her life will be incredibly hard from this time on and she may never recover. To effectively destroy a person for ’selfishness’ is cruel and unusual punishment in my opinion.